I have been on Viibryd for 6 weeks and am on the 40 mg dose. Although I've had some unusal and sometimes unpleasant side effects, I have decided to stick with it. I started out taking it in the mornings and I didnt feel well and by evening was miserable. My pharmacist suggested taking it at bedtime and it seems to be working. I was worried about how to miss that initial dose to go from taking it in the morning to at night but it happened by accident when I forgot a dose one morning. I have noticed that if I do not take it at the same time every night (or close to the time) I get electric shock sensations in my head/brain. Only a few times has this happened and only when I went to bed really late making the dose 1-3 hrs later. I havent had any bad dreams or weird effects from this, but I have noticed that in the morning my face and eyes are swollen. I can admit that I wake up more refreshed and ready to face the day for the 1st time in years. I was on Cymbalta for 4 years and did well on it till the last year when I fell back into a deep depression with regular panic attacks the last few months of use. For me Cymbalta had minimal side effects aside from the weight gain, overall tiredness and then how I ended up on it. Since my Dr switched me to Viibryd I am starting to feel human again. I do have to mention that making the switch from Cymbalta to Viibryd was an awful experience. Not sure if it was done correctly. I was on 60 mg of Cymbalta and my Dr had me stop the Cymbalta one day and start the Viibryd the next day. The first 2-3 weeks were horrible. It was so bad that if the Viibryd doesnt work I will never go back on Cymbalta again due to the horrible withdrawal from it.
Vilazodone - I am curious as to what time of day other users are taking their Viibryd dose?
Question posted by cja49 on 22 April 2012
Last updated on 27 December 2019 by cmds88
13 Answers
I am on 30mg. I take mine in the morning as early as 8am or as late as 11am. I haven’t found that the span of time in between has any negative side effects. I have taken it as late as 6pm without any horrible side effects. No brain zaps for me. The side effect I have experienced that is the most bothersome is very lucid nightmares. They are rather disturbing and taking the missed dose any later than 6pm is likely to result in nightmares. When I do take it at 6p I usually cut the dose down to 20mg (there is no 30mg pill they do a 20mg and 10mg to be taken at the same time). I have been fine so far. I have taken 40mg in the past but found that my hair was falling out more and the nightmares would be worse if I missed the dose or took it too late. I would also have a headache if I missed the 40mg dose. Since I didn’t feel much of a difference in mood I went down to 30mg.
My psychiatrist told me to take it in the morning. It does give me a tiny bit of a boost in mental energy so I don’t think taking it at night would work for me.
I am diagnosed with atypical depression, anxiety, ocd, and ADD. We decided to try this medication because I had tried so many others since I was 14 and while some worked for me back then (however had bad side defects like weight gain) those were no longer working now.
I had tried Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft in my early teens and stayed on Zoloft til I was 18. Went off for six months and had a series of panic attacks and bad depression with suicidal thoughts and was put on cymbalta and klonopin second half of my freshman year in college. I stuck with Cymbalta alone for the next 5 years until it started irritating my stomach and I was throwing up bile every morning after taking it. I have some chronic illnesses that have affected my GI so cymbalta was aggravating those issues. We switched me to celexa 20mg but had to stop Bc of side effects on GI. Went on 5mg lexapro for a couple years with periods of nothing as I didn’t feel like I was getting any benefit at that dosage but more would cause GI upset. Tried Prozac for a week and was very agitated then tried zoloft again and was taking that for a small period of time before stopping. Had a major breakup after leaving my boyfriend at the time who was dealing with major drug addiction and alcoholism. In the year I was with him I suffered a lot of emotional trauma as I had never been exposed to drugs or drug abuse in my entire life. I was also dealing with some physical and emotional abuse from him. My depression was pretty bad and I was not eating, sleeping often, and was dealing with extreme apathy. That’s when I got put on viybriid. Even with the initial week starter packet, I felt like a completely different person after the first baby dose. I couldn’t believe it. It was great. It has been a huge help for me and I haven’t had any GI issues with it. While I do still deal with situational depression and anxiety/ocd and periods of active eating disorders, it has been a life changing medication for me. I am sure if I was more adamant about not isolating myself and practiced meditation and relaxation as I should, I would not experience my dips with my issues. I am not perfect but this medication has brought about so much help to me that I recommend it to everyone I know that has had poor or no success with other antidepressants.
Viibryd user: I have now been on Viibryd for over 3 years with what can only be described as dramatic results in mood, decreased depression, increased interest in life in general. My Dr. Reccomended taking mine in the Am. And for me personally that works best with food as then throughout the day I do not even notice if there are side effects I'm so back into living! I might reccomend splitting your dose if it is in two tablets. Take one in the am and one in the PM and see if this helps providing you a more unified delivery through out the day. I hope this helps in some way, the depression had me literally staying home 2 weeks straight not leaving the house. Limiting contact with Dear friends and colleagues thanks to my medical team I feel alive again.
I went from 60mg Cymbalta to 30mg for 7 days then none, as I simultaneously added Viibrym 10mg for 7 days, then 20mg. That was 3 weeks of MISERY. I cannot imagine what you went through.
I was told to take my dose in am with food. It seems that about 2-ish hours after, if I am not engaged in something very active, I nap. I haven’t been a mapper, even with severe depression. This is very odd. If I am sitting down I literally just go to sleep! It is very strange sleep only about 30-60 minutes. I’m not sure how to explain it. It’s almost as if I can wake up at anytime, but it feels like a DEEP sleep. I’m thinking about switching to evening dosing and see how that works.
I've been on 40 mg Viibryd now for a little over a month. Was taking 120 mg Cymbalta for more than 3 years. Went through major depression, Cymbalta cut to 60 mg daily and 10 mg Viibryd added for 8 days, then 20 mg for 8 more days, until at 40 mg.
First day, experienced what could only be described as a "frenzy" feeling; my brain was wired. I suddenly needed to do something, so I cleaned my bathroom from top to bottom. After that I suffered from nausea for approximately 2-3 weeks until I was advised by my pharmacist to take it WITH food. Since then, the nausea abated and I love the sudden "freeing" of my emotions, the ability to feel them, enjoy the feelings and for me, most importantly, act on them.
The dreams were a hoot, originally. It's now 3:13 am, and I'm not so delighted by them any longer. They're a frantic representation of my inner struggles in full color, in an almost "nightmarish" way. Tonight, for the first time, I am cognizant of having been paralyzed. I'd felt it three or four times before, that inability to move or breathe normally, but was not really paying attention to those feelings because I was amazed by my dreams. Tonight the paralysis and difficulty breathing was extreme, though.
The mania, of which I never suffered before, had insured that my apartment is really clean and organized. So far that hasn't interfered with my daily routine.
The diarrhea isn't at all welcome. As a teacher... Luckily it mostly hits on the weekends where I feel like my intestines are forcibly being emptied. No pain, mind you, but lots of gurgling from my abdomen.
My doctor recently suggested we lower the dose to 30 mg to see if the runs will stop. Now, with the addition of the sleep issue, I don't know what's going to happen. On top of which, tonight (or should I say this morning) after I was able to fully wake up, I scarfed down a small cheese sandwich like I was desperate. Wasn't hungry at all, just needed to eat and drink something. Weird, huh?
I'm going to copy this note and send it to my doctor to be kept in my files. I LOVE how I feel on Viibryd, but I'm worried.
Hope this helps someone out there.
My doctor just put me on 40 mg but haven’t started it yet. I am already on Zoloft 50mg and Wellbutrin 150mg as well as 3mg lunesta at night. My pharmacist seemed concerned about the viibryd and I didn’t know whether to try it or ask my Doctor for a second opinion?
Hello:
I take 30 mg of Viibryd in the morning with my breakfast. Remember, Viibryd should be taken with food to be properly absorbed. If you take Viibryd on an empty stomach you are effectively getting just half of the intended dose.
Take care for now and all the best.
I realize this response is comes much later than the initial question, but I take Vybriid at night- always at 8pm (I set a timer on my phone). I have about an hour window to take it before I have terrible side effects. If I don’t take it by 9pm, when I’m trying to fall asleep I get brain zaps that ultimately lead to sleep paralysis. It is truly awful and I really try to be on top of it, but this is the best drug I’ve been on so I just deal with it.
Hope this helps
I’m new to Viibryd, taking 30 mg at bedtime. The other side effects are quite tolerable, but I get really bad dream, unusual or nightmare. Is it normal? I’m also agitated and it’s difficult to go to sleep.
Anybody taking Viibryd at breakfast having better experience?
Taking AD since the past 20 years so I’ve experienced many side effects but the results on Viibryd are really good and I want to try it longer.
Sirlm
Most Doctors recommend taking Viibryd in the morning. It is important that it be taken with food in order for it to achieve the proper blood concentration levels. Taking Viibryd on an empty stomach has is tantamount to taking just half your dosage. Many people complain of bad or lucid dreams while on Viibryd regardless of what time of day they take it. But you could alleviate some of your night time issues by taking it in the morning.
I hope 30 mg of Viibryd is working for you. I was on 40 mg for 5 years and recently tapered my dosage down to 30 mg and actually feel better at that osage.
Take care for now and all the best.
I usually take it around noon (when I eat my first meal of the day) as my doctor said taking it earlier in the day helps with crazy dreams. I'm also on 40 mg, started about 15 months ago. I agree with whoever commented and said they get itchy when they don't take it on time. Even an hour late and I am agitated and unbearably itchy, specifically on my face and arms. I haven't had any brain zaps, my dreams are definitely more vivid and I remember them more than I did previously, but that hasn't been a problem. Also, my face and eyes would get puffy in the morning when I first started taking it too! It went away after a little time, I actually completely forgot about that side effect until reading your post. I am considering talking to my doctor about either increasing my dose or maybe taking a split dose twice a day because my body seems to be metabolizing it more quickly than 24 hours and I can feel the withdrawal effects sometimes before I am even due to take it. Does anyone else take more than 40 mg or take it more than once daily?
My normal time is in the morning with breakfast. I have skipped breakfast and taken it as late as 6 PM with dinner. I have had a few 'lightning strikes' because of this, but they are manageable.
As far as making the change over to Viibryd, I had a major problem as well. The warnings, that the doctor should have told me about, include increase chance of suicide and increase in major depression in the first few days while starting Viibryd. I can tell you that both are true.
Glad to see you got past the bad stuff. Viibryd is fantastic for me. I hope you do as well.
I take mine right after breakfast or whatever my first meal of the day is because it has to be taken with food. I am on 40mg and have been on it for over 7 months now.
Are you still on it at what dose did you start feeling better at was it at noticeable difference or very gradual did it help your depression and anxiety please let me know
I am no longer on Viibryd. After a little over a year on it I could no longer handle the side effects it gave me. As to when it helped me it helped within a month. I went off of it for a month then went back on and the side effects were even worse for me and it didn't help my depression at all that time. I stopped taking it all together and am on something else now. Good luck!
Just wondering what you went on and if it helped you
I'm on Zoloft and it hasn't helped. We added Wellbutrin but it's not much either. Still looking. It's a lifelong thing unfortunately.
Are you able to function do you suffer from anxiety or depresssion
I function a bit more with the Wellbutrin. Just the zoloft I often was unable to do anything. I have both anxiety and depression.
I've noticed if I'm even a few hours late with this med I have horrible brain zaps, also if I get too tired. I didn't have that many at 30mg, but at 40mg it's become harder to deal with than the depression. Alsp I have very vivid dreams about people I love that have passed on, and sometimes very violent dreams. It's working better for depression than any med I've tried, but these zaps are making me wonder if it's really worth it. Last night it was every 15 seconds until I finally fell asleep. And I felt like I melted into my bed and couldn't talk and was paralized. Scariest thing I've ever had from a med... I don't have other problems that would cause hallicinations. The side effects of this med scare me. I hope someone can tell me if brain zaps like this are happening to others... I hate them and they scare me. Ya know it's our brains being messed with and it would be a living nightmare if this didn't go away!
Wow, u nailed it perfectly
I've experienced all the things you've described on viibryd, I've been taking it for about6 weeks. The brain zaps, the melting into the bed, feeling like I'm paralyzed and can't talk, it is really freaky! I'm not sure what is cause of this other than the drug itself!
I thought I was going crazy! I've been on Viibryd 40 mg for several months when I started "melting" or jerking into my bed. I melted and jerked up every 5 minutes or so for an hour once. I had nightmares for 2 weeks straight. They were so bad... couldn't move or talk and thought my husband was having the nightmares too! I was petrified to go to go to bed. I try to take it right at bed time so that I can be asleep (hopefully) before any strange things occur.
I have Fibromyalgia and RA. I was wondering if anyone else gets insomnia... related to this med? I'm not sure if its the Fibro or the medication that keeps me up until 3 am at least 2-3 x per week... I think I read that manic episodes could be a side effect as well...
It's unfortunate that no one who has taken Viibryd has responded. The link below has reviews, which may be of some help.
I have been taking Viibryd for 6 weeks. I have been taking 40 mg for 2 weeks now and I forgot to take this morning. It was in the afternoon before I could take and then I just skipped it because if I take Viibryd later in the day it negatively impacts my sleep which I cannot afford because of another health condition. Anyway, I have been feeling very itching now for the past 10 hours, hot, and more irritable than usual. I believe me not taking this medication is causing the itching somehow. I am not worried and I know when I take it tomorrow the itching will probably get better. Overall though, it does concern me that not taking one medication for one day would have such an impact. I wanted to pass this information on to others in case they are experiencing the same thing though.
I have been taking Viibryd for 6 weeks. I have been taking 40 mg for 2 weeks now and I forgot to take this morning. It was in the afternoon before I could take and then I just skipped it because if I take Viibryd later in the day it negatively impacts my sleep which I cannot afford because of another health condition. Anyway, I have been feeling very itching now for the past 10 hours, hot, and more irritable than usual. I believe me not taking this medication is causing the itching somehow. I am not worried and I know when I take it tomorrow the itching will probably get better. Overall though, it does concern me that not taking one medication for one day would have such an impact. I wanted to pass this information on to others in case they are experiencing the same thing though.
I've been feeling much better on this med, but am having side effects that really worry me. I started 40mg 2 days ago, and when I start to relax to go to sleep I get horrible electrical surges in my head/brain. I've noticed it's worse if I'm really tired. I had one about every 15 seconds last night, then I felt like I was melting into my bed and I couldn't move or talk. I was trying to scream to let someone know I was in trouble and it took awhile to get my voice to work. Not sure if it was one of those crazy dreams I've been having on this med or if it really was happening ( the not being able to speak). I felt much better on 30mg. I think 40 is just too much. I was having trouble with being terribly depressed when I woke up and about 8pm each night. That has really pretty much stopped. But I don't want to feel like I'm paralized and having brain zaps every night or when I'm tired...
Is anyone else having trouble with brain zaps and really vivid dreams? Think I'll see if Dr. will take me back down to 30 mg. I can't handle this, depressed or not!
It is very good for depression. I take mine late in the afternoon. But it makes my face swell. And I have gained 30lbs.
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